Kids in Action 2026

Designed primarily for students from Years 5-8, Council’s award-winning Kids in Action program encourages students to take responsibility for their learning through the planning and delivery of environmental projects. 

Each year the program focuses learning experiences and projects through an annual theme. 

Kids in Action 2026 

The 2026 theme From Dusk to Dawn: Stories of the Night invites students to step into the mystery and magic of the nocturnal world. From the fading glow of sunset to the first light of dawn, this year’s theme explores the deep connections between sky and Country, the life that stirs in the darkness, and the wisdom that shines brightest under the stars.

As we journey from dusk to dawn, we’ll uncover the stories written in the sky and whispered through the land — from First Nations sky lore and celestial storytelling to the scientific wonders of the night. Working in partnership with local custodians and Elders, students will deepen their understanding of Country and foster meaningful connections with Indigenous knowledges and practices.

Students will discover how plants breathe differently after dark, how frogs and moths signal the changing seasons, and how ultraviolet light reveals hidden worlds unseen by the human eye. Together, we’ll ask:

• Who moves, sings, or blooms in the dark?
• Why are the unseen processes that unfold while we sleep important to understand?
• How do the stars and moon guide life on Earth? What do they teach us about balance, rhythm, and connection?

This theme also highlights the importance of preserving the Dark Sky — protecting our night from the growing glow of light pollution that disrupts wildlife, plants, and our own wellbeing. Students will explore how darkness is vital to life and how communities can take action to keep our skies clear for the next generation of storytellers and stargazers.

The 2026 theme is open to exploration in many ways. To get started, download a copy of the 2026 Program Information and Theme (PDF, 342KB).

Join us by completing the Kids in Action Expression of Interest for Kids in Action in 2026. Through story, science, and culture, From Dusk to Dawn: Stories of the Night will illuminate the connections that bind everything - from starlight to soil life. Together, we’ll learn that by protecting the night, we nurture life itself.

Key 2026 events

Kids in Action Field Day – Wednesday 6 May 2026 (all day) 

Students will nurture their ecological identity and stewardship at the KIA Field Day; a day of immersion and connection with nature. Community mentors will guide students through a range of practical, hands-on environmental, cultural, scientific, art and citizenship activities. Students will enquire, explore and be curious as they engage with different knowledge systems, to further develop their confidence and capacity to actively care for and protect Country.

Kids in Action Conference – Wednesday 9 September 2026 (all day) 

The KIA Conference is an exciting and special day where schools share their creative project ideas. Students teach and learn from each other through workshops, interactive displays and presentations. They take responsibility for their learning through the planning and delivery of environmental projects, advocacy and action.